scholarly journals Production and evaluation of briquettes from urban pruning residue and sugarcane bagasse

2019 ◽  
Vol 23 (2) ◽  
pp. 138-143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ana K. de G. Smith ◽  
Letícia S. Alesi ◽  
Luciano D. Varanda ◽  
Diego A. da Silva ◽  
Luis R. O. Santos ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Sugarcane Bagasse ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
Technical Feasibility ◽  
Sustainable Practices

ABSTRACT The search for new alternatives in order to reuse residues is one way to minimize environmental impacts by promoting sustainable practices. This study analyzed the technical feasibility of briquettes production from urban pruning residue and sugarcane bagasse, turning them into a product with higher added value besides directing their use and reducing their improper disposal. Five treatments were studied from different ratios of the two residues: T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5, respectively made of 100% of urban pruning; 50% urban pruning and 50% sugarcane bagasse; 25% urban pruning and 75% sugarcane bagasse; 10% urban pruning and 90% sugarcane bagasse; 100% sugarcane bagasse. The materials were characterized physically, chemically and energetically. Briquettes were produced and evaluated for mechanical performance, with expansion tests, mechanical resistance and friability to verify the quality of the final product. The treatments 1 and 2 showed the best results, with lower friability and average values of mechanical resistance of 167.14 and 107.56 kgf, respectively. It is concluded that both residues (sugarcane bagasse and urban pruning) had potential for briquette production, as well as the mixture between both materials.

scholarly journals Criteria prioritization for the sustainable development of second-generation bioethanol in Thailand using the Delphi-AHP technique

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Piradee Jusakulvijit ◽  
Alberto Bezama ◽  
Daniela Thrän
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Policy Recommendations ◽  
Technical Feasibility ◽  
Second Generation Bioethanol ◽  
National Implementation

Abstract Background The availability of underexploited agricultural residues in Thailand opens up the opportunity to supply second-generation bioethanol production. The national implementation of residues-to-biofuel can potentially boost the bioeconomy and greenhouse gas mitigation but requires the involvement of multiple stakeholders in the development of effective policy recommendations. This study aims to optimize the implementation of the national strategy through the use of a multi-criteria approach that involves participatory prioritization by current stakeholders in order to evaluate certain aspects and important indicators for second-generation bioethanol development. Methods The Delphi-AHP technique was used to analyze the degree of importance of different criteria. The evaluation process was conducted with various stakeholders and used a pairwise comparison of 4 dimensions (main criteria) and 12 indicators (sub-criteria). Participants were asked to rate factors related to technical feasibility, environmental impacts, economic feasibility and social impacts in terms of importance. Results Bioethanol stakeholders in Thailand from five different sectors (industry/business, NPO/NGOs, the governmental sector, academic/research institutes and financial institutions/banks) participated in the Delphi survey. The 20 experts’ evaluation of the four dimensions ranked economic feasibility (32.7%) highest in terms of level of importance, followed by environmental impacts (25.1%), technical feasibility (24.9%) and social impacts (17.3%). When assessing the sub-criteria, the participants selected ‘final price per liter’, ‘added value of input materials’ and ‘net energy balance’ as the top three most important indicators among the 12 sub-criteria. In terms of a link between the preferred criteria and the participants’ expertise, the results encouraged taking different backgrounds and affiliations into account in the policy planning phase. Conclusions The stakeholder survey indicated the importance of economic aspects, highlighting the need to take governmental driven policy into consideration. However, implementation scenarios have to be embedded in a broader range of aspects because all the dimensions were rated as being highly impactful. For future sustainable bioenergy, the inclusion of stakeholders’ opinions can result in multifaceted scenarios that can be linked to social acceptance and benefits for all relevant players when developing policy recommendations for advanced bioenergy.

scholarly journals Criteria prioritization for sustainable development of second-generation bioethanol in Thailand with an application of Delphi-AHP technique

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Piradee Jusakulvijit ◽  
Alberto Bezama ◽  
Daniela Thrän
Keyword(s):  
Environmental Impacts ◽  
Second Generation ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Social Impacts ◽  
Economic Feasibility ◽  
Greenhouse Gas Mitigation ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Technical Feasibility ◽  
Second Generation Bioethanol ◽  
National Implementation

Abstract Background: The availability of underexploited agricultural residues in Thailand opens up the opportunity to supply second-generation bioethanol production. The national implementation of residues-to-biofuel can potentially initiate the bioeconomy and greenhouse gas mitigation, requiring engagement from the multi-stakeholders to develop effective policy recommendations. Thus, the study aims to optimize the implementation of the national strategy from a multi-criteria approach to evaluate the concerned aspects and important indicators for second-generation bioethanol development through a participatory prioritization by the actual stakeholders Methods: To analyze the relevance of the different dimensions regarding important levels of criteria, a Delphi-AHP technique was applied. The evaluation process was conducted with different stakeholders and elaborated by using a pairwise comparison of 4 dimensions (main-criteria) and 12 indicators (sub-criteria). The evaluation was applied to the participants to share their preferences evaluating the most important factors from the aspect of technical feasibility, environmental impacts, economic feasibility and social impacts. Results: Bioethanol stakeholders in Thailand from 5 different branches (industry/ business sectors, NPO/NGO, governmental sectors, academic/research institute and financial institution/bank) participated in the Delphi survey. The 20 expert’s evaluation of four dimensions reveals the highest score from the economic feasibility (32.3%), followed by environmental impacts (25.6%), technical feasibility (24.0%) and social impacts (18.1%). From the sub-criteria assessment, the participants selected ‘final price per liter’, ‘added value of input materials’ and ‘net energy balance’ for the top three important indicators among 12 sub-criteria. From the identification of connection between preferable criteria and participants’ expertise, the results encouraged the process of employing different associated backgrounds into account at the step of policy planning in addition to the consideration of affiliations. Conclusions: The stakeholder’s participatory evaluation indicated the importance of economic aspects, highlighting the necessity of the governmental driven policy that needs to be considered. However, implementation scenarios have to be embedded in a broader range of aspects because all the dimension were rated with high impacts. For the future sustainable bioenergy, involvement from stakeholders’ opinions can imply multifaceted scenarios that may interconnect to the social acceptance and benefits for all relevant players when considering the development of advanced bioenergy as a policy recommendation.

scholarly journals Smoothing additive manufactured parts using ns-pulsed laser radiation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Florian Kuisat ◽  
Fernando Lasagni ◽  
Andrés Fabián Lasagni
Keyword(s):  
Surface Roughness ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
State Of The Art ◽  
Pulsed Laser ◽  
Industrial Applications ◽  
Laser Source ◽  
Pulsed Laser Radiation ◽  
Current State ◽  
The Impact

AbstractIt is well known that the surface topography of a part can affect its mechanical performance, which is typical in additive manufacturing. In this context, we report about the surface modification of additive manufactured components made of Titanium 64 (Ti64) and Scalmalloy®, using a pulsed laser, with the aim of reducing their surface roughness. In our experiments, a nanosecond-pulsed infrared laser source with variable pulse durations between 8 and 200 ns was applied. The impact of varying a large number of parameters on the surface quality of the smoothed areas was investigated. The results demonstrated a reduction of surface roughness Sa by more than 80% for Titanium 64 and by 65% for Scalmalloy® samples. This allows to extend the applicability of additive manufactured components beyond the current state of the art and break new ground for the application in various industrial applications such as in aerospace.

scholarly journals Architectural and Urban Attractiveness of Small Towns: A Case Study of Polish Coastal Cittaslow Towns on the Pomeranian Way of St. James

Land ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (7) ◽  
pp. 724
Author(s):  
Alicja K. Zawadzka
Keyword(s):  
Small Towns ◽  
Urban Life ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Development Policies ◽  
Quality Of Urban Life ◽  
Size Criterion ◽  
The Town ◽  
Modern Technologies

The paper presents the results of a study on the attractiveness to tourists and natives of the cultural qualities of coastal towns on The Pomeranian Way of St. James that are members of the Cittaslow network. Attention to the quality of urban life is inscribed in the development policies of towns applying to join the Cittaslow movement. In order to join the network (apart from the size criterion), towns need to meet a minimum of 50% plus one of the 72 criteria grouped into seven categories. One of the category is Quality of Urban Life Policy, so the towns applying to join Cittaslow commit themselves to actions aimed at improving the quality of urban life. The study on the attractiveness of cultural qualities of towns to tourists and natives was conducted using the author’s BRB method, whose added value is its universality and the possibility to study small towns regardless of their membership in the Cittaslow network. BRB is an acronym that stands for BUILDINGS, RELATIONSHIPS, BALANCE, and comprises three scopes of activities: BUILDINGS (iconic building and important sites where the inhabitants and the tourists are present); RELATIONSHIPS (the visual effects of the relations between the inhabitants and the town) and BALANCE (solutions that implement modern technologies). This method enables identification of places that are important to the inhabitants, where urban life takes place and which are often created with the involvement of the inhabitants. These are often the same spaces as those that attract tourists and perhaps stimulate them the desire to visit the town again (BRB—be right back). The aim of the BRB method is shown the attractiveness of small towns. The study has shown that the characteristic feature of Polish Cittaslow towns is their diversity: the architectural attractiveness of three towns is high both to tourists and natives. On the other hand, the urban attractiveness of the examined towns is an insufficient.

scholarly journals X-ray diffraction analysis of kaolin M1 and M2 via the Williamson–Hall and Warren–Averbach methods

2021 ◽  
pp. 174751982098472
Author(s):  
Lalmi Khier ◽  
Lakel Abdelghani ◽  
Belahssen Okba ◽  
Djamel Maouche ◽  
Lakel Said
Keyword(s):  
Grain Size ◽  
High Temperature ◽  
Low Temperature ◽  
Diffraction Analysis ◽  
Mechanical Resistance ◽  
X Ray Diffraction ◽  
Integral Breadth ◽  
X Ray ◽  
Mullite Phase

Kaolin M1 and M2 studied by X-ray diffraction focus on the mullite phase, which is the main phase present in both products. The Williamson–Hall and Warren–Averbach methods for determining the crystallite size and microstrains of integral breadth β are calculated by the FullProf program. The integral breadth ( β) is a mixture resulting from the microstrains and size effect, so this should be taken into account during the calculation. The Williamson–Hall chart determines whether the sample is affected by grain size or microstrain. It appears very clearly that the principal phase of the various sintered kaolins, mullite, is free from internal microstrains. It is the case of the mixtures fritted at low temperature (1200 °C) during 1 h and also the case of the mixtures of the type chamotte cooks with 1350 °C during very long times (several weeks). This result is very significant as it gives an element of explanation to a very significant quality of mullite: its mechanical resistance during uses at high temperature remains.

scholarly journals A Comprehensive Investigation on 3D Printing of Polyamide 11 and Thermoplastic Polyurethane via Multi Jet Fusion

Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (13) ◽  
pp. 2139
Author(s):  
Wei Shian Tey ◽  
Chao Cai ◽  
Kun Zhou
Keyword(s):  
Tensile Strength ◽  
Flexural Strength ◽  
Wear Rate ◽  
Mechanical Performance ◽  
Thermoplastic Polyurethane ◽  
Print Quality ◽  
Polyamide 11 ◽  
Powder Bed

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a recently developed polymeric powder bed fusion (PBF) additive manufacturing technique that has received considerable attention in the industrial and scientific community due to its ability to fabricate functional and complex polymeric parts efficiently. In this work, a systematic characterization of the physicochemical properties of MJF-certified polyamide 11 (PA11) and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) powder was conducted. The mechanical performance and print quality of the specimens printed using both powders were then evaluated. Both PA11 and TPU powders showed irregular morphology with sharp features and had broad particle size distribution, but such features did not impair their printability significantly. According to the DSC scans, the PA11 specimen exhibited two endothermic peaks, while the TPU specimen exhibited a broad endothermic peak (116–150 °C). The PA11 specimens possessed the highest tensile strength in the Z orientation, as opposed to the TPU specimens which possessed the lowest tensile strength along the same orientation. The flexural properties of the PA11 and TPU specimens displayed a similar anisotropy where the flexural strength was highest in the Z orientation and lowest in the X orientation. The porosity values of both the PA11 and the TPU specimens were observed to be the lowest in the Z orientation and highest in the X orientation, which was the opposite of the trend observed for the flexural strength of the specimens. The PA11 specimen possessed a low coefficient of friction (COF) of 0.13 and wear rate of 8.68 × 10−5 mm3/Nm as compared to the TPU specimen, which had a COF of 0.55 and wear rate of 0.012 mm3/Nm. The PA11 specimens generally had lower roughness values on their surfaces (Ra < 25 μm), while the TPU specimens had much rougher surfaces (Ra > 40 μm). This investigation aims to uncover and explain phenomena that are unique to the MJF process of PA11 and TPU while also serving as a benchmark against similar polymeric parts printed using other PBF processes.

scholarly journals Valuing health-related quality of life among the Indian population: a protocol for the Development of an EQ-5D Value set for India using an Extended design (DEVINE) Study

BMJ Open ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (11) ◽  
pp. e039517
Author(s):  
Gaurav Jyani ◽  
Shankar Prinja ◽  
Sitanshu Sekhar Kar ◽  
Mayur Trivedi ◽  
Binod Patro ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Computer Assisted ◽  
Health Related Quality ◽  
Health States ◽  
Value Set ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
The Government

IntroductionQuality-adjusted life year (QALY) has been recommended by the government as preferred outcome measure for Health Technology Assessment (HTA) in India. As country-specific health-related quality of life tariff values are essential for accurate measurement of QALYs, the government of India has commissioned the present study. The aim of this paper is to describe the methods for the Development of an EQ-5D Value set for India using an Extended design (DEVINE) Study. Additionally, this study aspires to establish if the design of 10-time trade-off (TTO) blocks is enough to generate valid value sets.Methods and analysisA cross-sectional survey using the EuroQol Group’s Valuation Technology (EQ-VT) will be undertaken in a sample of 2700 respondents selected from six different states of India using a multistage stratified random sampling technique. The participants will be interviewed using computer-assisted personal interviewing technique. The TTO valuation will be done using 10 composite TTO (c-TTO) tasks and 7 discrete choice experiment (DCE) tasks. Hybrid modelling approach using both c-TTO and DCE data to estimate the potential value set will be applied. Values of all 3125 health states will be predicted using both the conventional EQ-VT design of 10 blocks of 10 TTO tasks, and an extended design of 18 blocks of 10 TTO tasks. The potential added value of the eight additional blocks in overall validity will be tested. The study will deliver value set for India and assess the adequacy of existing 10-blocks design to be able to correctly predict the values of all 3125 health states.Ethics and disseminationThe ethical approval has been obtained from Institutional Ethics Committee of PGIMER, Chandigarh, India. The anonymised EQ-5D-5L value set will be available for general use and in the HTAs commissioned by India’s central HTA Agency.

A comparison between economic and organic store brands

2017 ◽  
Vol 45 (12) ◽  
pp. 1298-1316 ◽  
Author(s):  
Magali Jara ◽  
Gérard Cliquet ◽  
Isabelle Robert
Keyword(s):  
Brand Equity ◽  
Perceived Quality ◽  
Purchase Intentions ◽  
Path Model ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Store Brand ◽  
Store Brands ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Further Development

Purpose The purpose of this paper is to tackle the issue of store brand equity by considering two store brand’s positioning strategies: those with high perceived added value (the organic store brands), as opposed to economic brands. It takes place in the current environmental considerations showing the important role played by the packaging in determining the store brand equity. Design/methodology/approach A PLS Path model divided into four sub-models enables the authors to make specific predictions about customers’ purchase intentions. It also provides a concise operational calculation of the brand equity of each studied store brand. Findings Results show that economic brands build their equity with reinforced packaging, and organic brands maximise their brand equity by using simple packaging. In general, reinforced packaging improves the perceived quality of economic store brands but destroys that of organic brands. The calculations of overall equity scores for each studied store brand reveal that economic brands could benefit from further development whilst organic brands already maximise their equity. Practical implications Results will enable large retailers to develop effective campaigns focussing on perceived quality and more specifically by designing packaging that are suitable for the positioning of their brands – a simple packaging for organic brands and a reinforced packaging for economic brands to maximise customers’ value. Originality/value This is one of the first studies to deepen the store brand equity, comparing two contrasting types of brands, by studying specifically variations of the levels of customers’ perceived quality depending of two types of packaging.

scholarly journals β-Mannanase Production Using Coffee Industry Waste for Application in Soluble Coffee Processing

Biomolecules ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (2) ◽  
pp. 227 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camila Favaro ◽  
Ilton Baraldi ◽  
Fernanda Casciatori ◽  
Cristiane Farinas
Keyword(s):  
Hydrolytic Enzymes ◽  
Packed Bed ◽  
Added Value ◽  
Industrial Processes ◽  
Enzymatic Extract ◽  
Packed Bed Bioreactor ◽  
Industry Waste ◽  
Hydrolysis Of ◽  
Soluble Coffee

Soluble coffee offers the combined benefits of high added value and practicality for its consumers. The hydrolysis of coffee polysaccharides by the biochemical route, using enzymes, is an eco-friendly and sustainable way to improve the quality of this product, while contributing to the implementation of industrial processes that have lower energy requirements and can reduce environmental impacts. This work describes the production of hydrolytic enzymes by solid-state fermentation (SSF), cultivating filamentous fungi on waste from the coffee industry, followed by their application in the hydrolysis of waste coffee polysaccharides from soluble coffee processing. Different substrate compositions were studied, an ideal microorganism was selected, and the fermentation conditions were optimized. Cultivations for enzymes production were carried out in flasks and in a packed-bed bioreactor. Higher enzyme yield was achieved in the bioreactor, due to better aeration of the substrate. The best β-mannanase production results were found for a substrate composed of a mixture of coffee waste and wheat bran (1:1 w/w), using Aspergillus niger F12. The enzymatic extract proved to be very stable for 24 h, at 50 °C, and was able to hydrolyze a considerable amount of the carbohydrates in the coffee. The addition of a commercial cellulase cocktail to the crude extract increased the hydrolysis yield by 56%. The production of β-mannanase by SSF and its application in the hydrolysis of coffee polysaccharides showed promise for improving soluble coffee processing, offering an attractive way to assist in closing the loops in the coffee industry and creating a circular economy.

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